U.S. patent application number 14/785167 was filed with the patent office on 2016-03-03 for remote control for first and second apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to Home Control Singapore Pte. Ltd.. The applicant listed for this patent is HOME CONTROL SINGAPORE PTE. LTD.. Invention is credited to Teunis Den Ouden, Rogier Louis Jacques Willem Thissen.
Application Number | 20160066015 14/785167 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48128158 |
Filed Date | 2016-03-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160066015 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Thissen; Rogier Louis Jacques
Willem ; et al. |
March 3, 2016 |
Remote Control for First and Second Apparatus
Abstract
First apparatuses (1) to be remotely controlled by devices (3)
comprise interfaces (11) for receiving first signals from second
apparatuses (2) that define that the second apparatuses (2) have
received codes from the devices (3), interfaces (12) for sending
second signals to the devices (3), and first controllers (21) for
detecting the first signals and in response to detection results
generating the second signals for providing assistance to the
configurations of the devices (3) for remotely controlling the
second apparatuses (2). The devices (3) for remotely controlling
the first apparatuses (1) comprise interfaces (14) for sending
codes to the second apparatuses (2) for remotely controlling the
second apparatuses (2), interfaces (15) for receiving the second
signals from the first apparatuses (1), and second controllers (22)
for detecting the second signals for configuring the devices (3)
for remotely controlling the second apparatuses (2).
Inventors: |
Thissen; Rogier Louis Jacques
Willem; (Eindhoven, NL) ; Den Ouden; Teunis;
(Eindhoven, NL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HOME CONTROL SINGAPORE PTE. LTD. |
Singapore |
|
SG |
|
|
Assignee: |
Home Control Singapore Pte.
Ltd.
Singapore
SG
|
Family ID: |
48128158 |
Appl. No.: |
14/785167 |
Filed: |
April 15, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
April 15, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2014/057643 |
371 Date: |
October 16, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
725/74 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/43615 20130101;
H04N 21/44227 20130101; H04N 21/42225 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04N 21/422 20060101
H04N021/422; H04N 21/436 20060101 H04N021/436; H04N 21/442 20060101
H04N021/442 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 16, 2013 |
EP |
13163944.5 |
Claims
1. A first apparatus (1) arranged to be remotely controlled by a
device (3), the first apparatus (1) comprising a first interface
(11) for receiving a first signal from a second apparatus (2), the
first signal defining the second apparatus (2) having received a
code from the device (3), a second interface (12) for sending a
second signal to the device (3), the second signal informing the
device (3) of the second apparatus (2) having received the code,
and a first controller (21) for detecting the first signal and in
response to a detection result generating the second signal, the
detection result indicating that the second apparatus (2) has
understood or has not understood the code.
2. The first apparatus (1) as defined in claim 1, the first
controller (21) being arranged to start a detection of the first
signal on its own initiative or to start a detection of the first
signal in response to a reception of a third signal sent by the
device (3).
3. The first apparatus (1) as defined in claim 1, the first
controller (21) detecting the first signal and in response to the
detection result generating the second signal for providing
assistance to a configuration of the device (3) for remotely
controlling the second apparatus (2).
4. The first apparatus (1) as defined in claim 1, further
comprising a first memory (31) for storing codes, the second
interface (12) being arranged to send the codes to the device (3),
which codes are destined to be used by the device (3) for said
remotely controlling the second apparatus (2).
5. The first apparatus (1) as defined in claim 4, the first
interface (11) being arranged to receive the codes from the second
apparatus (2), or the first apparatus (1) being arranged to
download the codes.
6. The first apparatus (1) as defined in claim 1, further
comprising a third interface (13) for receiving a fourth signal
from the device (3) for said remotely controlling of the first
apparatus (1) by the device (3).
7. A device (3) for remotely controlling a first apparatus (1), the
device (3) comprising a fourth interface (14) for sending a code to
a second apparatus (2) for remotely controlling the second
apparatus (2), the first apparatus (1) being arranged to receive a
first signal from the second apparatus (2), the first signal
defining the second apparatus (2) having received the code, a fifth
interface (15) for receiving a second signal from the first
apparatus (1), and a second controller (22) for detecting the
second signal for configuring the device (3) for remotely
controlling the second apparatus (2), the second signal informing
the device (3) of the second apparatus (2) having received the code
from the device (3), the first apparatus (1) being arranged to
detect the first signal and in response to a detection result
generate the second signal, the detection result indicating that
the second apparatus (2) has understood or has not understood the
code.
8. The device (3) as defined in claim 7, the second controller (22)
being arranged to start a configuration on its own initiative or to
start a configuration in response to a reception of a trigger
signal sent by the first apparatus (1).
9. The device (3) as defined in claim 7, further comprising a
second memory (32) for storing codes, which codes are destined to
be used by the device (3) for said remotely controlling the second
apparatus (2).
10. The device (3) as defined in claim 9, the fifth interface (15)
being arranged for receiving the codes from the first apparatus
(1), or the device (3) being arranged to download the codes.
11. The device (3) as defined in claim 7, further comprising a
sixth interface (16) for sending a fourth signal to the first
apparatus (1) for said remotely controlling of the first apparatus
(1) by the device (3).
12. A system comprising the first apparatus (1) as defined in claim
1 and the device (3) as defined in claim 7, the first and second
apparatuses (1, 2) each comprising an appliance for mainly
providing information to a user, either directly via itself, or
indirectly via another appliance, and the first and second
apparatuses (1, 2) being no gateways that mainly interface
different appliances.
13. The system as defined in claim 12, the first apparatus (1)
comprising at least one from a first list comprising a set-top-box,
a television, a computer, a video player, a video player/recorder,
an audio player and/or an audio player/recorder, and the device (3)
comprising at least one from a second list comprising a remote
control, a phone, a computer, a video player, a video
player/recorder, an audio player and/or an audio
player/recorder.
14. The system as defined in claim 12, the second and fifth
interfaces (12, 15) operating according to a wireless standard, the
first interface (11) operating according to a wired or wireless
standard, and the fourth interface (14) operating according to a
wireless standard.
15. The system as defined in claim 12, the second and fifth
interfaces (12, 15) operating according to a
radio-frequency-for-consumer-electronics standard, the first
interface (11) operating according to a
high-definition-multimedia-interface-standard or a
digital-living-network-alliance-standard or a
universal-plug-and-play-standard, and the fourth interface (14)
operating according to an infrared standard.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a first apparatus arranged to be
remotely controlled by a device. The invention further relates to a
device, and to a system.
[0002] Examples of such a first apparatus are a set-top-box, a
television, a video player, a video player/recorder, an audio
player and/or an audio player/recorder. Examples of such a device
are a remote control, a portable phone, a portable computer, a
portable video player, a portable video player/recorder, a portable
audio player and/or a portable audio player/recorder.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] EP 2 472 894 A1 discloses a remote control device. This
remote control device is a programmable remote control device. To
program the remote control device, a user is involved relatively
much.
[0004] US 2004/0148632 A1 discloses a remote controller and
set-top-box therefor.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is an object of the invention to provide an improved
first apparatus. Further objects of the invention are to provide an
improved device, and to provide a system.
[0006] According to a first aspect, a first apparatus arranged to
be remotely controlled by a device is provided, the first apparatus
comprising [0007] a first interface for receiving a first signal
from a second apparatus, the first signal defining the second
apparatus having received a code from the device, [0008] a second
interface for sending a second signal to the device, the second
signal informing the device of the second apparatus having received
the code, and [0009] a first controller for detecting the first
signal and in response to a detection result generating the second
signal, the detection result indicating that the second apparatus
has understood or has not understood the code.
[0010] A first apparatus can be remotely controlled via a device.
The device knows the first apparatus, but does not know a second
apparatus. A first interface makes a first communication from the
second apparatus to the first apparatus possible. A second
interface makes a second communication from the first apparatus to
the device possible. A first controller may provide assistance to a
configuration of the device for remotely controlling the second
apparatus by detecting the first signal and in response to a
detection result generating the second signal. The first signal may
define that the second apparatus has received a code from the
device. The code may for example be, for a second apparatus in the
form of a television, volume up, volume down, channel up, channel
down etc. and may for example be, for a second apparatus in the
form of a video player, play, fast forward, fast backward, freeze
etc. The detection result may indicate that the second apparatus
has understood or has not understood the code as sent by the device
to the second apparatus. The second signal may further define what
code has been received. As a result, the device can be configured
and/or programmed to remotely control the second apparatus, without
a user being involved relatively much. This is a great
improvement.
[0011] An embodiment of the first apparatus is defined by the first
controller being arranged to start a detection of the first signal
on its own initiative or to start a detection of the first signal
in response to a reception of a third signal sent by the device.
The first apparatus plays a key role in the configuration of the
device, owing to the fact that the first apparatus can communicate
with the device as well as with the second apparatus. The first
apparatus may start (waiting for) a detection of the first signal
on its own initiative, or the first apparatus may start (waiting
for) a detection of the first signal in response to a command from
the device in the form of a third signal sent from the device to
the first apparatus. The third signal may be sent from the device
to the first apparatus directly or may be sent indirectly via the
second apparatus. The first apparatus could for example start a
detection of the first signal on its own initiative and then inform
the device, or the first apparatus could for example start a
detection of the first signal in response to the device having
started such a configuration. In the latter case, the device may
have informed the first apparatus via the third signal.
[0012] An embodiment of the first apparatus is defined by the first
controller detecting the first signal and in response to the
detection result generating the second signal for providing
assistance to a configuration of the device for remotely
controlling the second apparatus.
[0013] An embodiment of the first apparatus is defined by further
comprising [0014] a first memory for storing codes, the second
interface being arranged to send the codes to the device, which
codes are destined to be used by the device for said remotely
controlling the second apparatus. The first apparatus may provide
the codes for controlling the second apparatus to the device.
[0015] An embodiment of the first apparatus is defined by the first
interface being arranged to receive the codes from the second
apparatus, or the first apparatus being arranged to download the
codes. The first apparatus may receive the codes from the second
apparatus or may download these codes in response to being informed
about a definition of the second apparatus.
[0016] An embodiment of the first apparatus is defined by further
comprising [0017] a third interface for receiving a fourth signal
from the device for said remotely controlling of the first
apparatus by the device. The device can control the first apparatus
via a fourth signal to be received by the first apparatus via a
third interface. The fourth signal may be a code or another signal
and the third interface may be identical to or different from the
second interface.
[0018] According to a second aspect, a device is provided for
remotely controlling a first apparatus, the device comprising
[0019] a fourth interface for sending a code to a second apparatus
for remotely controlling the second apparatus, the first apparatus
being arranged to receive a first signal from the second apparatus,
the first signal defining the second apparatus having received the
code, [0020] a fifth interface for receiving a second signal from
the first apparatus, and [0021] a second controller for detecting
the second signal for configuring the device for remotely
controlling the second apparatus, the second signal informing the
device of the second apparatus having received the code from the
device, the first apparatus being arranged to detect the first
signal and in response to a detection result generate the second
signal, the detection result indicating that the second apparatus
has understood or has not understood the code.
[0022] An embodiment of the device is defined by the second
controller being arranged to start a configuration on its own
initiative or to start a configuration in response to a reception
of a trigger signal sent by the first apparatus. This trigger
signal may for example be exchanged via the fifth interface.
[0023] An embodiment of the device is defined by further comprising
[0024] a second memory for storing codes, which codes are destined
to be used by the device for said remotely controlling the second
apparatus.
[0025] An embodiment of the device is defined by the fifth
interface being arranged for receiving the codes from the first
apparatus, or the device being arranged to download the codes. The
device may receive the codes for remotely controlling the second
apparatus from the first apparatus or may download these codes.
[0026] An embodiment of the device is defined by further comprising
[0027] a sixth interface for sending a fourth signal to the first
apparatus for said remotely controlling of the first apparatus by
the device. The fourth signal may be a code or another signal and
the sixth interface may be identical to or different from the
fourth interface and may be identical to or different from the
fifth interface.
[0028] According to a third aspect, a system is provided comprising
the first apparatus as defined above and the device as defined
above, the first and second apparatuses each comprising an
appliance for mainly providing information to a user, either
directly via itself, or indirectly via another appliance, and the
first and second apparatuses being no gateways that mainly
interface different appliances.
[0029] An embodiment of the system is defined by the first
apparatus comprising at least one from a first list comprising a
set-top-box, a television, a computer, a video player, a video
player/recorder, an audio player and/or an audio player/recorder,
and the device comprising at least one from a second list
comprising a remote control, a phone, a computer, a video player, a
video player/recorder, an audio player and/or an audio
player/recorder. The second apparatus may usually comprise another
one from the first list.
[0030] An embodiment of the system is defined by the second and
fifth interfaces operating according to a wireless standard, the
first interface operating according to a wired or wireless
standard, and the fourth interface operating according to a
wireless standard.
[0031] An embodiment of the system is defined by the second and
fifth interfaces operating according to a
radio-frequency-for-consumer-electronics standard, the first
interface operating according to a
high-definition-multimedia-interface-standard or a
digital-living-network-alliance-standard or a
universal-plug-and-play-standard, and the fourth interface
operating according to an infrared standard.
[0032] An insight is that an involvement of a user during a
configuration of a device for remotely controlling a second
apparatus is to be reduced. A basic idea is that a first apparatus
should play an interfacing role between the device and the second
apparatus.
[0033] A problem to provide an improved first apparatus and an
improved device has been solved. A further advantage is that, to
program the device, a user is involved relatively little.
[0034] These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent
from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described
hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0035] In the drawings:
[0036] FIG. 1 shows embodiments of a first apparatus and of a
device, and
[0037] FIG. 2 shows a flow chart.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0038] In the FIG. 1, an embodiment of a first apparatus 1 and an
embodiment of a device 3 are shown. The first apparatus 1, such as
a set-top-box, a television, a computer, a video player, a video
player/recorder, an audio player and/or an audio player/recorder,
comprises a first interface 11 for receiving a first signal from a
second apparatus 2, such as a set-top-box, a television, a
computer, a video player, a video player/recorder, an audio player
and/or an audio player/recorder. The first apparatus 1 further
comprises a second interface 12 for sending a second signal to the
device 3, such as a remote control, a phone, a computer, a video
player, a video player/recorder, an audio player and/or an audio
player/recorder, and a first controller 21 for detecting the first
signal and in response to a detection result generating the second
signal for providing assistance to a configuration of the device 3
for remotely controlling the second apparatus 2. Preferably, the
first controller 21, to provide the assistance, is arranged to
start a detection on its own initiative or to start a detection in
response to a reception of a third signal sent by the device 3. The
first signal defines for example that the second apparatus 2 has
received a code from the device 3. The second signal for example
informs the device 3 of the reception.
[0039] The device 3 can remotely control the first apparatus 1 and
is configured and/or programmed via a cooperation with the first
apparatus 1 to remotely control the second apparatus 2. Thereto,
the device 3 comprises a fourth interface 14 for sending a code to
a second apparatus 2 for remotely controlling the second apparatus
2, a fifth interface 15 for receiving the second signal from the
first apparatus 1, and a second controller 22 for detecting the
second signal for configuring the device 3 for remotely controlling
the second apparatus 2, the second signal informing the device 3 of
the second apparatus 2 having received the code from the device 3.
The first, second and third signals have been described above.
[0040] Preferably, the first apparatus 1 may further comprise a
first memory 31 for storing codes designed for letting the device 3
remotely control the second apparatus 2. The second interface 12
may be arranged to send the codes to the device 3. The first
interface 11 may be arranged to receive these codes from the second
apparatus 2, or the first apparatus 1 may be arranged to download
the codes, for example via an internet interface 41. The first
apparatus 1 may further comprise a third interface 13 for receiving
a fourth signal from the device 3 for said remotely controlling of
the first apparatus 1 by the device 3.
[0041] Preferably, the device 3 may further comprise a second
memory 32 for storing the codes designed for letting the device 3
remotely control the second apparatus 2. The fifth interface 15 may
be arranged for receiving the codes from the first apparatus 1, or
the device 3 may be arranged to download the codes, for example via
an internet interface 42. The device 3 may further comprise a sixth
interface 16 for sending a fourth signal to the first apparatus 1
for said remotely controlling of the first apparatus 1 by the
device 3.
[0042] The interfaces 12 and 13 may be one and the same interface,
or not. The interfaces 14 and 16 may be one and the same interface,
or not. The interfaces 15 and 16 may be one and the same interface,
or not. The interfaces 12-16 operate usually according to a
wireless standard, the interface 11 usually operates according to a
wired standard but may alternatively operate according to a
wireless standard. The interfaces 12 and 15 may operate according
to a radio-frequency-for-consumer-electronics standard. The
interface 11 may operate according to a
high-definition-multimedia-interface-standard or a
digital-living-network-alliance-standard or a
universal-plug-and-play-standard, and the interfaces 13, 14 and 16
may operate according to an infrared standard. A code may be an
infrared code, without having excluded radio frequency codes, and
the fourth signal may be a radio frequency signal, without having
excluded infrared signals. In fact, any signal may be any kind of
signal as used for wired or wireless communication. The wired and
wireless interfaces may further operate according to an Internet
Protocol etc. Each wired link and each wireless link may be a
unidirectional link or a bidirectional link. A wired Ethernet, a
wireless Wi-Fi and the Internet Protocol are not to be excluded
etc.
[0043] In the FIG. 2, a flow chart is shown, wherein the following
blocks have the following meaning:
Block 51: A start of a configuration of a device 3, initiated by a
first apparatus 1. The first apparatus 1 has identified a second
apparatus 2, via its brand, trademark, type etc. as for example
determined via an information signal such as a
high-definition-multimedia-interface-standard signal received via
the first interface 11. Go to block 52. Block 52: The first
apparatus 1 sends a trigger signal to the device 3 for example via
the second and fifth interfaces 12 and 15 and thereby informs the
device 3 about the identity of the second apparatus 2 and for
example starts a time-interval. Go to block 53. Block 53: The first
apparatus 1 monitors first signals arriving via the first interface
11. If a relevant first signal has arrived within the
time-interval, go to block 54, otherwise go to block 56. Block 54:
The first apparatus 1 detects the relevant first signal. If the
relevant first signal shows that the second apparatus 2 has
understood a code as sent by the device 3 to the apparatus 2, go to
block 55, otherwise go to block 57. Block 55: An end of the
configuration. The first apparatus 1 informs the device 3 via a
second signal that the device 3 has used a proper code. Block 56:
The first apparatus 1 informs the device 3 via a second signal that
another code is to be tried and starts a time-interval. Go to block
53. Block 57: The first apparatus 1 sends a second signal to the
device 3 to inform the device 3 that another code is to be tried
and starts a time-interval. Go to block 53.
[0044] A start of a configuration of a device 3 is initiated by a
first apparatus 1. The first apparatus 1 has identified a second
apparatus 2, via its brand, trademark, type etc. as for example
determined via an information signal such as a
high-definition-multimedia-interface-standard signal received via
the first interface 11 (block 51). Alternatively, the first
apparatus 1 may only have detected a presence of a second apparatus
2 for example via the first interface 11. The first apparatus 1
sends a trigger signal to the device 3 for example via the second
and fifth interfaces 12 and 15 and thereby informs the device 3
about the identity or the presence of the second apparatus 2 and
thereby instructs the device 3 to send a code to the second
apparatus 2 and starts a time-interval (block 52). Alternatively,
said time-interval is started in response to a confirmation arrived
via the second/third interface 12/13 from the device 3. The first
apparatus 1 monitors first signals arriving via the first interface
11 (block 53). Irrelevant first signals are to be ignored, such as
for example first signals that are not produced in response to
remote control actions. If a relevant first signal has arrived
within the time-interval, the first apparatus 1 detects the
relevant first signal (block 54). If the relevant first signal
shows that the second apparatus 2 has understood the code as sent
by the device 3 to the apparatus 2, this may be an end of the
configuration (block 55), and the first apparatus 1 may inform the
device 3 via a second signal that the device 3 has used a proper
code. The device 3 now knows what codes are to be used for remotely
controlling the second apparatus 2. Alternatively, more codes may
be tried, before an end of the configuration has been reached.
Otherwise, if not understood (blocks 56 and 57), the first
apparatus 1 may send a second signal to the device 3 to inform the
device 3 that another code is to be tried and may start the
time-interval again etc. Further, it is possible that during the
time-interval no first signal will arrive and that the first
apparatus 1 is arranged, after the time-interval has elapsed, to
respond to that etc. The end of the configuration (block 55) may
also be reached in case no code has worked.
[0045] Alternatively, a start of a configuration of a device 3 may
be initiated by the device 3. In that case, the device 3 may inform
the first apparatus 1 via a third signal about the start, or not,
for example in response to a user input, and sends a code to the
second apparatus 2. The first apparatus 1 monitors and detects the
first signals arriving via the first interface 11 and informs the
device 3 via the second signals. The device 3 may decide to stop
the configuration in case it has become clear that the second
apparatus 2 has understood the code as sent to it by the device 3.
Alternatively, more codes may be tried, before an end of the
configuration has been reached. Otherwise, if not understood, the
device 3 may send a next code to the second apparatus 2 and wait
for the second signal from the first apparatus 1 that may indicate
that the second apparatus 2 has understood this next code or not
etc. Said waiting may be managed by monitoring a time-interval etc.
And again, it is possible that during the time-interval the device
3 does not receive a second signal and that the device 3 is
arranged, after the time-interval has elapsed, to respond to that
etc. The end of the configuration may also be reached in case no
code has worked.
[0046] The code may comprise any code for remotely controlling the
second apparatus 2, as long as the first signal is generated in
response to a reception of the code and can be detected via the
first interface 11. The code may for example comprise for a second
apparatus 2 in the form of a television, volume up, volume down,
channel up, channel down etc. and for a second apparatus 2 in the
form of a video player, play, fast forward, fast backward, freeze
etc.
[0047] The first and second apparatuses 1 and 2 each comprise an
appliance for mainly providing information to a user, either
directly via itself, or indirectly via another appliance. The first
and second apparatuses 1 and 2 are no gateways that mainly
interface different appliances.
[0048] The first apparatus 1 and/or the device 3 may further
comprise a monitor for monitoring the time-interval or another
time-interval. So, the first apparatus 1 and the device 3 may be on
the same decision level, or each one of them may be on a higher
decision level than the other one. In that case, each one of them
may be the master or the slave.
[0049] The monitoring of time-intervals as described above is an
example only, alternatively said monitoring may not be necessary,
for example in case said first signals are produced regularly, each
one defining that a code has been received or not but each one
being produced independently from whether a code has been received
or not.
[0050] Summarizing, first apparatuses 1 to be remotely controlled
by devices 3 comprise interfaces 11 for receiving first signals
from second apparatuses 2 that define that the second apparatuses 2
have received codes from the devices 3, interfaces 12 for sending
second signals to the devices 3, and first controllers 21 for
detecting the first signals and in response to detection results
generating the second signals for providing assistance to the
configurations of the devices 3 for remotely controlling the second
apparatuses 2. The devices 3 for remotely controlling the first
apparatuses 1 comprise interfaces 14 for sending codes to the
second apparatuses 2 for remotely controlling the second
apparatuses 2, interfaces 15 for receiving the second signals from
the first apparatuses 1, and second controllers 22 for detecting
the second signals for configuring the devices 3 for remotely
controlling the second apparatuses 2.
[0051] While the invention has been illustrated and described in
detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration
and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and
not restrictive; the invention is not limited to the disclosed
embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be
understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing
the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the
disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word
"comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the
indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The
mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different
dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these
measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the
claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.
* * * * *